"Hey, morning, Sonny." Portlyn greeted from my rug. I chuckled. I had woken up a little while ago. "I know I don't really compliment, but…I like your house."

"Thank you." I felt a little uncomfortable speaking about this. Don't know why, though.

"Yeah," She stood up. "I mean, besides your room, it's like an average house. You have a house that you can brag about but don't." She sighed, looking in the mirror to fix her hair. "What's for breakfast?"

"Um, just head to the kitchen; I bet my mom made a feast. I'll meet you down there." I answered, heading to my closet.

She nodded and left the room, leaving the door open a bit. I forgot my brush in the bathroom and headed over.

"I'm shocked, Sonny's being nice to us. I mean, I understand she's your brother's friend and all but, come on, really?" Chad's voice ran out from next door; thin walls.

"Yeah, I mean, she was in ALL those movies; she can't even act! Michael said so. The only reason they cast her is because she wrote it and wouldn't let them make the movie without her in it." Portlyn responded. "All she can do is make people laugh; and that's because she can't act for her life."

Chad sighed, no doubt running his fingers through his hair. "Yeah, let's go eat."

They left the room. I frowned: I knew they were faking but I didn't know to that extent. I fixed up my make-up and got dressed, grabbing my purse. I put on my heels and looked at the clock. I had to be at the studio in ten minutes! I opened my door and ran out, heading downstairs to the kitchen.

Chad and Portlyn were eating my mom's famous chocolate chip pancakes. I ran to the toaster and grabbed the newly popped toast and bit into it. I started putting things into my purse; phone, keys, etc.

"Mamá, estoy llegando tarde, así que lo dejamos sin desayuno." (Mom, I'm running late so I'll leave without breakfast.) I rushed through. My mom is Spanish and I have grown up around the language.

"Why?" she asked, cleaning dishes.

I hesitated, knowing Chad and Portlyn were listening in. They'll probably laugh at me behind my back. "Audiciones…," (Auditions…)

I went to leave the house but Mom stopped me. "Auditions for…what?"

The scraping of forks on plates stopped, Chad and Portlyn listening intently.

"A movie- later!" I left the house and went into the garage. "I'm taking my bike."

I heard Chad laugh. He walked into the garage, eyes closed because he was laughing. "Yeah, Sonny, riding into an audition on a bike, sweating is a great way to make a good impression." He opened his eyes and stopped laughing. "Oh; that kind of bike."

I was sitting on a big black Harley. I started it as the garage door opened. "Figure your way back to set yourself." I started to back out. Chad came over and held onto the handlebar to stop me.

"What's wrong?" He asked, confused.

"Nothing," I went to back up again but his hold tightened. I pressed my lips together. "If you'll excuse me, I'm running late."

"So be late; what did I do?"

"I heard you and Portlyn talking…" I jerked the bike away from him and sped away from my house, leaving Chad in the garage smacking his forward for his stupidity.

~!!~

I sat in a director's chair with the script in hand, reading it over. I crossed my legs.

"Rey, you're coffee." My assistant handed me a Starbucks cup filled with awesome, delicious coffee.

"Thanks, Melanie. Hey, how many people do I have to interview?" I took a sip of the coffee.

She shrugged. The casting director walked in with a smile. Her name was Katie.

"Hello, Allison. I overheard your question and there will be twenty today. You're here to help pick the finalists and then the actual Zack." I nodded as she sat down.

"So, what exactly should I do?" I sat up straighter.

"Read with them, I'll judge the chemistry, and we'll see if they're good and right for the role. We already cast Lee-Anne, Merle, Your mom, younger self, dad, young dad- basically we have everyone except Zack. And feel free to point out if they're doing something wrong with the character, okay? This is your movie too."

She stood up while I went back to reading the script and drinking my coffee. "Here's the first candidate; James." I froze, peeking over my script.

There, standing in his made up glory, was James Conroy, once again. He was smirking. I stayed hidden behind my script, ready to change the sound of my voice.

"I'm just curious but…who's my love interest?"

"You don't have the part, James." I said with a higher voice. "He's not right for the role." I glared at him through my script. Then I smirked. "Say no to him."

"But, Al…he's a great actor." Katie protested weakly.

"Al? That's a dude?" James was confused. I put down my script. "Oh…Sonny."

I smiled. "Kinda wish you didn't humiliate me now, huh?" I turned my regular voice back on.

"Yeah…I should- go." He left without another word, uncomfortable.

"Allison!" Katie whined.

"That's my name, don't wear it out." I looked at Katie to see a glare coming my way. "Kate, he's a jerk. There's no way we could work together. He dumped me for my best friend and gloated that I wasn't girlfriend material- DATING material. He humiliated me- there's no way I could kiss him, let alone talk to him."

"Fine," she sighed. She hit the buzzer on her desk to the people outside the room. "Bring in the next guy."

~!!~

"Alright, bye." I waved at the boy walking out. "He was good."

"Yeah, but you two didn't 'click.'" Katie disagreed. "Last person."

I didn't see who was coming in because I held my book up; I had finished reading over the script long ago. I held my coffee, holding the top and balancing the bottom on my skinny armrest. The door opened.

"Hello, Mr. Cooper." Oh no. "Please take a seat."

"No prob," He sat down. "By the way, love the necklace."

"Flattery will get you nowhere with me." Katie smirked and I stifled a laugh. "If you want to flatter your way into this movie, flatter Ally. She decides who gets the role of her love interest and supporting actor."

"Supporting? The email said lead male." Chad was confused.

I didn't move my book. "You are trying out for the lead male but the absolute lead is a female; me." I turned a page.

"Oh, hey, love the bracelet." Chad complimented, nervous already. I was wearing a charm bracelet that had a charm for everything I ever worked on.

"Flattery will get you nowhere, my good man." I chuckled, taking a sip of coffee.

"Can I see who the lead role is?" Chad asked.

I sighed and closed my book, but I covered my face with my hair by bending down to pick up the script. I tossed it to him, Chad catching it in midair. I tied my hair up in a low ponytail. I smiled.

"Hello, Chad." I raised an eyebrow.

"Oh, what up, Sonny?"

"I go by Allison on this set." I corrected. I turned to Katie. "Let's get this over with." I closed my eyes and leaned my head back. "Page 47, I go first. Let me know when you're ready."

I heard pages turning and opened my eyes to look at Chad. He was fumbling with the script, almost dropping it four times. He looked up at me. "don't you need a script too?"

I shook my head. "Nope, ready?" He nodded. (Characters: Sonny= Isabella, Chad=Zack. My story as well, called Down The Path. Copyrighted and registered to moi.) "Just to let you know, in case you already didn't, this is a different script- this is the read-through script so there will be more in the actual one."

Isabella: *sigh* Toto, I don't think we're in Kansas anymore…(quiet)

Zack: *slight chuckle* No, apparently not. [pauses for action] I'm Zack.

Isabella: Isabella [pauses] Hey, do you know who Merle is?

Zack: Yeah, everyone knows Merle. He's one of the senders of Heaven's Paradise. He's the most irresponsible one of them all: he sends people here without them knowing.

"Okay, Allison, Chad, go to page 55, start with Zack's second line." Katie instructed.

Zack: don't worry, many prophecies say that but sacrifices aren't made. Maybe this one won't require one. They put those in to scare people."

Isabella: Sacrifices don't always mean live, idiot. It may mean that I stay behind or someone will die or you sacrifice something special to you. There are many definitions to sacrifice.

Zack: Okay, whatever. Who do you want to go with you?

Isabella: First of all, what year did you get here and second, are YOU wanting to go?

Zack: I came two years ago, in 2006 {I wrote this a year ago…in 2008, so, yeah}. I'm supposed to be 21 now; I'm stuck at 19, though. And maybe, not because I want to go with you- oh no, FAR from it, but because I want to be the second person in the prophecy.

Isabella: *scoff* So, why don't you want to go with me? *sounds offended and looks a little bit hurt*

Zack: Please, don't give me that look. [pauses] the look that says you were never denied anything in your life or have anyone reject you. You're way too snarky and annoying and rude…*trails off, trying to make a point*

Isabella: If I'm such a pain, then why won't you let my wrist go? And you're wrong….

"Let's switch scenes again- I speak more than him in this part." I pointed out. "Uh…Chad choose a page. Maybe one where you have a speech."

"okay…" He flipped through the pages and I noticed how the sunlight from the window shone on his blond hair.

Zack: it was Halloween; my friends and I were running around the neighborhood around midnight…………(too long of a speech. Lol)

Another scene: Zack: *give a lopsided, puppy-love smile* relax, there is no way I'm going to let a stupid field mess with my emotions. Why would messing with my emotions be a bad thing for us and good for them?

Last scene: Isabella: Oh, my God, Zack! *excited*

Zack: Hey, I heard your dad came back.

Isabella: Mmhm, and Merle was arrested for kidnapping. [pauses for action] how've you been? I haven't seen you since…yeah.

Zack: I'm good. My family was surprised that I was alive We're trying to get back into the swing of things the way they were before, you know? What about you guys? Is it hard to go back to the way things were?

Isabella: It's really hard actually. Considering that my baby sister isn't his biological daughter. He left before she was born- way before. [pauses] I'm glad you're okay.

Zack: hey, you were the one with bum leg.

Chad looked at us. "That's the end?"

"Yeah, the end of us speaking. The rest is just action." I informed him. I cleared my throat. "Now, Chad, why do you want to be in this movie?"

We were videotaping his audition and interview. "Because it seems like a great experience and I think I'll have some fun on set. And off set as well."

"Damn, that's a good answer." Katie murmured.

"He's Chad Dylan Cooper; he wants more publicity." I rolled my eyes at Katie's naivety. "Okay, I think we have what we need- bye."

"Actually, Sonny, can I talk to you…alone?" He stared at me and then Katie, going back to me.

"Oh, go on, kid, I've got work." Katie pat my back.

I huffed and got out of my chair. "I have work too you know." I mumbled. I followed Chad out of the room, and then leading him to the green room. It was empty. I turned on him. "What?" I crossed my arms.

"Look, I'm sorry I said that stuff but I have-"

"An image in front of Portlyn; got it. Just get over it…because I'm not letting a diva on my set."

"your set? You're co-casting director and lead role- it's not YOUR set. So, I'm guessing that makes you a diva." Chad smirked.

"No, Chad, it doesn't," I contradicted. "Because I wrote the book and movie AND I'm also assistant director. So, yes, this is my set." I smirked, knowing I won.

"Look, I was stupid earlier today, alright? I want to take it back, I do." Chad leaned forward a bit, on instinct for arguing. "I've never seen you actually act and, I saw how you are on So Random! and I thought that you always act that way; that you tried to act the way you do on that show."

"And you really thought I wouldn't be nice to Port? Her brother is in the hospital- I love him like he's my own brother! That may seem weird considering I had to French him but still! When I care for one person, I care for their family, especially when there's a tragedy." I was furious; happy. It felt good to get this off my chest.

"I was just shocked that you let us stay at your house! I blurted it out, alright?" Chad huffed. "And Portlyn said most of that stuff anyway! Why are you mad at me?"

"Because you didn't defend me!" I all but shrieked. I took a deep breath, lowering my voice. "All you responded with was "let's eat," that's not defending."

"What was I supposed to say? Huh? Don't be a bitch? Don't insult her that way?" Chad sounded superficial and conceited; he's back to normal.

"Yes, actually."

"She's my co-star; she got me into acting. The least I can do is agree with her since her godfather is the director. She gets mad at me, she tells him, he cuts me off. There was nothing I could do- I need this job for my family."

I laughed bitterly. "No, you don't- stop lying!"

"what makes you think I'm lying?!"

"I've met your parents!" He stared, stunned. "Chad, we guest starred on Friends when we were five. You don't remember but I do. I met your parents; we used to be friends. On the two episodes we were on, you were named Jason and I was Jody- we were fraternal twins coming to visit Ross and Monica. We were cousins of them." (I'm making this up. Lol) "Don't think I don't know your situation."

"You lied just as much as me."

"What are you talking about?"

"You said you were from Wisconsin. That you had no experience with acting."

"no, I said I was from Wisconsin- which I am- and acting was the reason they chose me to be on the show. See? You never listen unless it involves you."

Chad blinked. "I'm sorry? Were you talking? I wasn't listening." He thought he was joking but I wasn't in a laughing mode.

I went to smack him but he caught my arm and pulled me closer- by accident, sort of…

"I wouldn't do that if I were you…" he warned.

"Or what? What are you gonna do? Sue me because I ruined your hair?" I mocked, leaning forward menacingly.

Chad didn't respond, he stared at me. Not angry. Not sad. No emotion. Just a spark in his eye. "Sonny," he murmured.

"Yeah?" I was wary.

"What happens in Down The Path after Zack pulled Isabella toward him in the end?" Chad asked.

I blushed. "I think you know." I didn't want to say.

"Is that why you don't want me on the movie?" he accused.

"What? Wait, what do you mean?"

"You don't want me to have this job because you don't want to kiss me." I went to argue but he cut me to it. "Sonny, I saw the distaste in your eyes. You even scowled at me. Mostly a smile but a scowl nonetheless."

I swallowed, a lump forming in my throat. "Why do you care? If you made it on, it'll just be acting and done with." My argument was weak, he knew too. In this moment, it was the perfect opportunity but I was afraid…afraid of what would happen afterwards.

He chuckled humorlessly. "You still think I have no heart?"

"Well," I thought it over. "Not all the time just sometimes; when you're a jerk."

"yeah, well, what about now? Do I or don't I have a heart?" Chad moved closer ever so slightly. We were practically on top of each other, we were so close.

I looked into his eyes. Staring into those eyes, I noticed that I was leaning upward toward him and he was leaning down. My eyes fluttered closed as our lips came closer. They were almost touching.

And then…

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There was a knock at the door, causing us both to jump. We pulled away from each other a bit, but we didn't move our position. I was staring at his Mackenzie Falls tie and he was staring at something past my head.

"Allison? You need to get to So Random! Rehearsals." a voice stated outside the door.

"I- I'll leave in a second." I stuttered. My heart was pounding and Chad's too, I could feel it against me. I drew in a shaky breath as the footsteps retreated. I looked up at Chad to see that was staring at me. "Chad-"

He sort of "swooped" down and kissed me on the lips. His lips worked against mine and I kinda returned the kiss. He pulled away slowly, letting my wrist go from before.

He smirked. "Wasn't that bad, was it?" he gloated.

There was a knock at the door, interrupting us. "Sonny Monroe! You're going to be late!" Marshall's voice.

I brushed past Chad quickly, heart about to burst through my chest, and scurried out of the room, leaving Chad…confused, maybe? I don't know; I couldn't decipher his expression.

~!!~

"Tawni!" I whined, plopping down on the sofa in the prop room. "I need advice!"

She turned to me, stunned. "From me?" I nodded. She came over and lifted my feet off the couch, sitting down and putting them in her lap. "Okay, about what?"

"…………………boys………." I muttered feebly.

She gasped with a smile. "You like someone?" she guessed.

"No…I was arguing with a guy about something, went to slap him, he questioned me about things making me confused, and then kissed me out of nowhere! I'm confused about everything!" I beat my fist against the pillow.

Tawni chuckled. "That's what got you so worked up? I noticed something wrong. I mean, it couldn't have been that bad…he wasn't bad, was he?"

"No- I- I don't THINK so. Since it was a surprise, it was fine but it's not about the kiss it's about…the guy."

"Look, Sonny, I'm sure everything will be fine. Things will straighten out with you two…unless you know, you're enemies." She laughed a bit, trying to soften up the mood.

I didn't say anything- instead I started to sweat out of nervousness.

"Wait, you're enemies?" Tawni's eyes bugged out of her head. Well, almost. "you don't have many guy enemies except," she gasped, standing and pointing accusingly at me. "Chad! You kissed Chad!"

I groaned. "Tawni, shut the hell up! Don't scream it to the world, okay? And he kissed me, not the other way around."

"Did you return it?" she crossed her arms.

"Uh…a little?"

She smiled- well, more like smirked. "you like him, you like him." she sang out.

I blushed a bit. "There goes your chance at meeting Johnny Depp." I told her. She immediately stopped. She knew about my previous fame, just not Grady, Nico, or Zora.

She sighed and sat next to me again. "Look, Sonny, this was Chad. He was probably acting on impulse. By tomorrow, things will blow over completely. He might not remember- just don't act like there's a problem or that anything happened."

I smiled, grateful. "Thanks, Tawni."